From dog loving fitness superstar to a can’t-miss Hollywood future, the Spanish Instagram icon known as Sergi Constance wants more.

By Richard Pérez-Feria / Photography by Mike Ruiz

The thing about judging a book by its cover is so beyond passé by now, that it should be put to rest once and for all, right? One would think. Such is the case for fitness superstar and entrepreneur Sergi Constance. At first glance, most people may have made up their minds about what the Valencia, Spain native with the cartoonishly large muscles is all about. They’d be wrong.

Not unlike OG funny/smart bodybuilders Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and John Cena, Constance transcends his impressive physicality and easily morphs into a fully realized three-dimensional human being who’s more than ready to take the world on with a smile. Sergi Constance isn’t what you think he is—he’s much more.

Some years ago, I was the co-owner and editor in chief for several male fitness magazines that held regular, jam-packed model castings filled with a hundred fitness guys hoping to be selected. At every casting, there were always at least ten aesthetically qualified candidates, but I invariably chose the models I could picture my team and I spending a long day with them on set. Was the dude nice? smart? interesting? Within ten seconds of breathing the same air as Sergi Constance, I knew he would’ve easily been my magazine’s next cover model. 100 percent.

Around that same time I first met star photographer—and massive fitness enthusiast himself—Mike Ruiz, who not only shot the striking (and surprising) images on the cover and accompanying this feature in Spain, but it marked a reunion for Constance and Ruiz to commemorate the 11 years since they first collaborated. To hear Ruiz tell it, it was one of the best—and surprising—reunions of his long, successful career.

“Sergi invited me to Valencia, Spain in July to hang for a few days and take some photos,” Ruiz says. “I was happy to oblige since I've been wanting to photograph him again for more than a decade and I wanted him to grace the cover of my 2025 Mutts And Muscles calendar benefitting Louie's Legacy Animal Rescue. Over the five days that I was there, we did so many photoshoots. Our creative synergy was intoxicating. We just couldn't stop shooting. Sergi’s prowess in front of the camera, his unending commitment to getting ‘the’ shot and his (seemingly) A.I. perfected aesthetic makes him a dream to photograph. Not only did we bond over creativity, but he also brought me to the local animal shelter to photograph dogs in dire need in hopes of getting them adopted. I’m telling you; this man is a superhero in real life—not only playing Zeus in Zack Snyder's Justice League. This was indisputably one of the most memorable trips I've ever taken.”

High praise indeed from Ruiz who has literally photographed a large percentage of the world’s most famous people over the past three decades. So, the question must still be raised: Who is Sergi Constance and where is he going?

In Valencia, Constance received a five-year bachelor’s degree in Sports Science and Physical Education and subsequently launched a successful career as an IFBB pro fitness athlete, many muscle magazines came looking for the Spanish stud to grace their glossy covers. Then, also not entirely unexpected, Instagram fell in love with Constance as well. With nearly six million followers, the now viral sensation is a veritable social media star, the very definition of influencer. Yet, that’s not at all how he sees himself currently or certainly how he sees his future developing.

As Ruiz mentioned, Constance was featured as Zeus in director Zack Snyder’s global movie blockbuster, Justice League. I mean, can you imagine being cast as Zeus, the god of all gods, in one of the planet’s all-time biggest box office hits? Amazing doesn’t begin to cover it. And that’s where my longtime critical eye comes into play. As Ruiz’s stellar images show in this story, Constance is ready to show the world what he’s made of. There isn’t a solitary reason I see why this Spanish actor couldn’t parlay his hard work at the gym with his natural instincts as a performer and entertainer into pure Hollywood gold. Aren’t we all ready for a Spanish superhero?

If his other worldly face and sculpted physique is what gets him in the room where it happens, it’ll be his heart, his compassion and his drive that will ensure his longevity and success. I mean, he’s the cover star of Ruiz’s amazing best-selling canine charity calendar Mutts And Muscles, is an animal rights activist and has laser-focused ambition. ¡Si señor!

Sergi Constance is nothing less than a gentle giant with an angelic face and a love-filled heart. C’mon now—who could resist? Trust me, Hollywood will be calling. How could they not?

What’s the one thing people tell you the most when they meet you? Please tell me it has something to do with you playing Zeus in Justice League.
It's great when somebody comes to me because they know me. Sometimes they start looking at me with an amazed look on their face because they’re not really sure if it’s me, the same guy from these crazy shredded videos and photos from social media. When they realize it’s me, they start to chat or ask me for a photo. I love to inspire people and they, in turn, serve as my motivation and I love them for it. After the movie Justice League was released, I was happy when so many fans started to follow me on social media. I was even happier when they accepted me in that big role, as the Zeus, in the amazing Justice League.

What was that experience like working with director Zack Snyder?
Working with Zack Snyder was a genuine privilege. I had experience being on camera in different stages and situations and to see him working and being directed by him as he helped develop my character was simply exceptional. He has so much talent, values his art above all else, but most importantly, he’s an excellent person—very kind and all class. He’s so profesisonal on set that he creates an environment of excellence throughout the filming of his movies. You can see how much he loves what he does. I’d love nothing more tan to work with Zack Snyder again.

Sergi, are you where you want to be in your career?
No, no yet. I always have goals and reasons to keep working to keep going all the while enjoying life. I’m making the best out of what I love to do.

I know you’re going to be featured in Mike Ruiz’s important annual calendar, Mutts And Muscles. Where did your love for dogs start?
I'm so proud of this one! Being part of such an important cause that spreads the love of dogs is very rewarding and satysfaying for me. I’ve always loved dogs, even as a kid. I made extraordinary connections with these canine best friends any human can have by their side. Even as a child I’d approach dogs to pet them and share good energy, and I never once had a bad or scary momento from any of the pups. Dogs aren’t only our friends, they’re our protectors and treasured members of our families. They deserve more from us.

I can’t imagine what you would do if you ever saw a dog being mistreated.
Obviously, I absolutely wouldn’t be happy about that situation. In that situation, the first thing I’d do is take the dog with me—and no one would stop me. Then, of course, I’d report the incident to the authorities. No dog should ever be mistreated. Ever.

How much fun is it in general to work on a shoot with loving pups? It sounds like a dream assignment.
Dogs and puppies have amazing energy. They have so much love in their hearts and souls—and, they’re super funny sometimes, too.

If you could script your own big Hollywood movie role, what would it be and with whom? I’ll give you a hint: A comedy with John Cena and Sylvester Stallone (he’d play your grandfather)? Or maybe a superhero movie where you play the villain in the new Spiderman? Or a romantic comedy with Jennifer Lopez and Sofia Vergara?
[Laughs] All of these options are fantastic—I love all three! But, if I’m being truly honest, my lifelong dream would be to choose the comedy with John Cena and Sly Stallone because those two actors are the ones I enjoy most. I love all that they work equally well in action and comedic roles. What could be more fun than laughing as you’re shooting a machine gun while driving a fast sports car off a hill? Now that’s a good time! [Laughs] But, being serious now, apart from my physique, I do have a lot inside of me I’d like to express. So, yeah, I’d love to take on a series of diverse roles in different movie genres. I’m more than just a body, I’m someone who wants to show everything he has inside and who loves challenges.

Tell us something no one knows about you.
No one knows that I’m actually a real big kid inside. Yeah, I’m a big physical man who’s laughing and joking nonstop and who enjoys making others laugh as well. Other things no one really knows is my love for many different kinds of music, my dancing skills (seriously) and my touch of obsessive compulsión when it comes to washing my hands every time I feel they’re a bit dirty—particularly during meals or when I’m out of the house. I also love extreme sports, billiards, playing cards and fast cars, motorbikes and even guns.

When was the last time you cried?
I cry often; I’m a very emotional person. Clearly I look like a tough guy with a rough exterior or someone who doesn’t present as being overly emotional. But the truth is I am an emotional person because I’m quite empathetic, too much so, perhaps. But being the way I am helps me understand situations in a better way making me, in turn, a better person in the process.

If you had a superpower, what would it be?
I’m torn between being super Smart and having super strength… Maybe super strength [Laughs] Just kidding. I’d much rather the superpower of being super intelligent, a superhero who just knows everything. Fun, right?

Finish this sentence: In 2030, Sergi Constance is…
I’m always better today than I was yesterday and tomorrow I’ll be better than I was today. Fact.

CREW CREDITS:
Talent: Sergi Constance
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director + Photographer + Producer: Mike Ruiz
Interview by Richard Pérez-Feria
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Special thanks to: Almudna Tornero
Photographed on location in Valencia, Spain

¡Vamos Sergi!